118 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



(2) its convenient arrangement to save time and labor in caring 

 for the stock; (3) cleanliness. 



The barn should be reasonably warm in winter and cool in 

 the summer. It should have plenty of light and ventilation. Espe- 

 cially is good ventilation necessary in the cattle bam. 



A sanitary and conveniently arranged barn costs but little 

 more than one unsuited to animal life. The conditions governing 

 the planning are very similar to those for a house, i. e., fresh air, 

 sunlight, good drainage, and protection against sudden changes of 

 temperature. The winter ventilation can be provided for by one or 

 more flues so arranged as to allow the foul air to enter them near 

 the floor line and to pass out through ventilators on the roof, the 

 fresh air coming in near the ceiling. 



Within the last few years a number of very sanitary barns 

 have been built of reinforced concrete. This material is proof 

 against fire, water, and vermin, needs no painting, little repairing, 

 and is cool in summer and warm in winter. 



The importance of thorough drainage should not be over- 

 looked. This should extend both to the barn and the barn-lot. On 

 the average American farm economy of construction and conveni- 

 ence require that provisions be made in the same building for 

 horses and cattle. Directions given below furnish a very simple and 

 convenient plan for a modern barn for mixed husbandry. 



The first floor should provide for 4 horse stalls and 3 double 

 cow stalls, while a shed with side open and intended to open into 

 a small yard affords additional room for stock. A clear space, 12 

 by 37 feet should be left down the center, which will accommodate 

 several vehicles and implements and leave room for a considerable 

 amount of forage at the rear end. The loft will accommodate, \f 

 well mowed away, from 20 to 25 tons of hay. The granary should 

 be 7 l /2 by 8 a /2 feet. In many instances this could be profitably cut 

 down. The whole interior arrangement of the barn is intended to be 

 merely suggestive. 



Where the intention is to feed cattle or sheep the shed idea can 

 be carried further and the entire left side of the barn be left un- 

 sided, affording a shed 37 by 11 feet with feed racks along the in- 

 ner side, which may be conveniently filled from the center space 

 or loft as desired. In a word, this barn affords abundant room at 

 small cost and is capable of an innumerable variety of interior ar- 

 rangements. 



Light. Sunlight is one of the most important factors in the 

 stable management of live stock, especially for young growing ani- 

 mals and breeding stocks. A generous supply of it is needed in the 

 cow stable for the maintenance of proper sanitary conditions and 

 the good health of the animals. Dairy barns are seldom furnished 

 with sufficient light; in fact, in the great majority of cases it is 

 sadly lacking. Thousands of barns, especially of the basement type, 

 have but few small windows, located close up against the ceiling, so 

 that sunlight cannot reach but a very small area within the build- 

 ing, and that only near the center. 



